David Franklin Brown, 78, of Danville, died Monday, March 31, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington. He was born in Burlington on November 7, 1946 to Virril Franklin and Exxa Lou “Peggy” Garland Brown. He was a 1965 graduate of Wapello High School and then joined the United States Marines, serving in Vietnam from 1965 – 1968.
In 1967 he married Susan Small; they later divorced. On May 7, 1998 he married Kathryn Gerst at City Hall in Mt. Pleasant. Dave was the assistant manager of the New London Coop for many years; manager of the Danville Coop; and retired as head of maintenance for Raider’s Precast Concrete. He was a member of the Marine Corps League in Burlington and a life time member of the New London VFW #7641. Before his declining health, he enjoyed attending events at Memorial Auditorium and Fairfield Arts and Convention Center; loved dancing with his wife; and enjoyed watching sports, especially football.
Dave is survived by his wife Kathy of Danville; son Shannon (Heidi) Brown of La Vernia, Texas; three stepsons, David Fletcher of Cedar Rapids, Robert Fletcher of Morning Sun and Kenny Fletcher of Wapello; granddaughter Courtney Lynn Fletcher who he helped raise; grandson Jonny Salvador; great-granddaughter Thea Jordan Salvador; one brother Jerry Brown of Winfield; two sisters Louanne Whitehair of Burlington and Jane Armstrong of Loveland, Colorado; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Virril; his mother and step-father Peggy and Forrest Hunt; daughter Letha Brown; and two brothers, Danny and Jim.
A Celebration of Life for David and his daughter Letha Brown, who died December 3, 2024, will be held June 7, 2025 at the New London VFW Post #7641; 802 E. McKinley, New London; from 2:30 – 4:00 pm. The Hamilton-Walters Marine Corps League will present military rites at 4:00 pm. Memorials to honor both David and Letha have been established for the Hamilton-Walters Marine Corps League or Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.
Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.